IRature IRotes : 
^be Selbovne Society’s flftaoa.^inc 
No. 177. SEPTEMBER, 1904. Vol. XV. 
OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. 
To promote the study of Natural History. To preserve from 
needless destruction such wild animals and plants as are harm- 
less, beautiful, or rare. To discourage the wearing and use for 
ornament of: (i) The skins and furs of such animals as are 
in danger of being exterminated ; (2) birds and their plumage, 
except when the birds are killed for food, reared for their 
plumage, or are known to be injurious. To protect places and 
objects of natural beauty or antiquarian interest from ill- 
treatment or destruction. To afford facilities for combined effort 
in promoting any of the above or kindred objects. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Thinking Imperially. — “We have a Society for the Pre- 
servation of Wild Birds and a National Society for the Prevention 
of Cruelty to Animals; but it will be news to many good people 
to know that there is a Society for the Preservation of the Wild 
Fauna of the Empire. Such is the fact, how'ever, and it is 
already doing a considerable amount of work. The report just 
issued shows that the efforts of the Society have been recognised 
by Lord Cromer and the Sirdar in the Soudan, and by the 
Directors of the British South Africa Company in Rhodesia. 
It is not proposed to make a close time for the wild hyaena, 
but there will be close territories or sanctuaries, in which ‘ the 
denizens of the forests ’ may ‘ range the valley free,’ like those 
flocks which Goldsmith’s Gentle Hermit absolutely refused to 
partake of in the form of succulent mutton. The contractors on 
the Rhodesian Railway have been forbidden to kill the game to 
feed the workman, an edict which may possibly rob the expansion 
